Guide to the Scriptures

Aaronic Priesthood

The lesser priesthood (Heb. 7:11–12; D&C 107:13–14). Its offices are bishop, priest, teacher, and deacon (D&C 84:30; 107:10, 14–15, 87–88). Anciently, under the law of Moses, there were high priests, priests, and Levites. Because the ancient Israelites rebelled against God, Moses and the holy priesthood were taken from them and the lesser priesthood continued. They had refused to be sanctified and receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and its ordinances. (See D&C 84:23–26.) The Aaronic Priesthood deals with the temporal and outward ordinances of the law and the gospel (1 Chr. 23:27–32; D&C 84:26–27; 107:20). It holds the keys of the ministering of angels, of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism (D&C 13). The Aaronic Priesthood was restored to the earth in this dispensation on May 15, 1829. John the Baptist conferred it on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery near Harmony, Pennsylvania (D&C 13; JS—H 1:68–73).

And he shall have the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, Num. 25:13.